Apparatus for separating solid bodies from liquids.



Patented Aug. 7,- I900.

D. GALE.

7 No. 655338. Patented Aug. 7, I900.

11. GALE. APPARATUS FOR SEPABATING SOLID BODIES FROM LIQUIDS.

(Application filed Apr. 11, 1898.)

2 Shasta-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

We rates Osman,

DENIS GALE, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SOLBD BODiES FROM LlQUlDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Eatent No. 655,338, dated August 7, 1900. Application filed April 11,1898, Serial No. 677,242. (No model.)

mixture in a thin stream over one or more comparatively -stationary bodies of water, preferably successively over different bodies, and also in securing a regular inflowand discharge of each body of water and in means for securing such results as fully set forth hereinafter and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus whereby to carryout my process; Fig. 2, an enlarged section of one of the separators; Fig. 3, a view illustrating a modified form of apparatus; Fig. 4, a section of Fig. 3.

In carrying out my mode of operation, although various different arrangements of vessels may be employed, I have illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 one which is effective and in which there maybe one, two, or more separators A, each of which consists of a vessel narrowing toward the bottom and with a central partition F less in height than the sides of the vessel, with a slide .9, which may be adjusted to any desired extent vertically. Water is admitted into the chamber to on one side of the partition F through a pipe 8, provided with a cock 9 and preferably arranged near the top, and water is admitted to the chamber 1' on the opposite side of the partition F, preferably near the bottom, through a pipe 11, provided with a cook 12. A discharge-pipe 2 leads from the chamber "0 and is provided with a cock 10. A table 4, having side flanges, extends over the chamber u and over the partition F, and another table E extends from the side of the vessel A across the top of the chamber a of the next vessel A, as shown. There is an adjustable slide R, which rests upon the table E and which can be moved back so as partially to cover the chamthe width of the vessel over the surface of the chamber 0 toward the table E. Inasm'uch, however, as there is a discharge of the c0ntents of the chamber v through the pipe 2 and as it is desirable to keep the surface of the water in the chamber 1) at practically a uniform height, water is admitted into the chamber through the pipe 11, regulated by the cook 12, so that there is always a constant height of water in the chamber 1*, a constant flow across the surface of the chamber '2) toward the table E, and a constant discharge through the pipe As the material from the spout 3 passes over the table it the particles of greater gravity and smaller size Will either remain or travel thereon gradually over the table, and, finally, on reaching the water in the chamber 1; will sink therein. At the same time the particles of less gravity and larger size will be carried so quickly as to move under momentum across the surface of the water in the chamber 4; and will be discharged onto the table E and pass onward.

W'hen the current from the table 4, holding matter in suspension, passes from the edge of the table onto the surface of the water in the chamber 1), it meets an upper surface current in the said chamber flowing onward toward and on to the-top of the table E over the Slide R, and it will be evident that by means of'rcgulating the flow through the trough 3 and that through the pipes 8 and 11 the flow; of the current maybe so regulated that there will be no tendency to unduly agitate the thin film or stream which flows onward from the table 4 toward the table E, and therefore as the material in suspension passes over the surface of the water in the chamber c any smaller particles which are of sufficient weight or gravity will have an opportunity to fall downward through the chamber 1 toward the bottom thereof and be discharged through the pipe 2, while the other and larger and lighter particles will be carried onward and over the slide it. and table E toward the second separator A passing over the chamber u and on to the flowing current or stream at the top of the water in the chamber 1' of the second separator, where time will be allowed for the settlement of any of the particles which fail to be separated in the first separator, and so on, over anydcsired nu mberof separators until the last separator A is reached, when all of the material will have been deposited in the said separators.

From each of the separators A A' the mat-erial flows through the pipe 2 onto an inclined table 4;, and thence to another vessel B, precisely like the vessel of the separator A and into the chambers of which water is directed through pipes S and 11. the same as into the separators A, and from the table E of each vessel B the overflow pas. into a wastetrergh if and thence into a dischargeconduit 17, receiving, the orcrllow from all of the vessels 13 I3 B. The separated material in the chamber 1: of each vessel 13 passes downward through a pipe i into a receptacle l5.

The receptacle ll" receives the material from the final separator A, and with the discharge-pipe 13 of the vessel 8 C(LIXHIIllHlCZLiO-S a receptacle G, from which extends a pipe 6. The pipes 2 and Gare provided with cocks l0 and 7, so that by closing the cock it) the receptacle G may be opened and cleansed.

Vhile it will he evident that all of the vessels A A A 13 3 [3 Jan, are substantially alike, it will of-coursc be evident that the cooks are so turned and the parts Eire so adjusted that the action upon the material will be a progressive one. For instance, there may be a greater amount of current on the surface of the first vessel than on those of the last of the series. Ho also the slides It may be set soas to restrict the surface area to a greater extent in the first vessels than in the last; of the series, and otherwise the adjustments of the parts may be varied according, to the circumstances of the case, so that there will be a gradual elimination, first of the coarser and then of the liner Valuable particlcs that are carried by the current. The character and extent of these adjustments of course will depend to a very great degree upon the character of the material operated upon.

While I have shown the vessels A B, &c., as

practically rectangular in cross sectional;

form, they may be circular, as shown in Fi 3, the material gradually progressing from the central circular vessel outward-over cir- 1 abundant time to separate and pass slowly;

onward. I therefore donot limit myself to the shapes of the difierent vessels nor to any specific adjustment of the parts or any special regulation of the current-flow.

. Without limiting myself to the precise construction and operation of parts shown, I claim as my inventionv 1. In. a separating apparatus, the combination with a vessel, consisting of two chatnbers, means for causing water in one cham' .ber to flow in a thin sheetover the surface o water in the second chamber, a conduit with a flat bottom communicating with the surface of the water in the second chamber, and a slide adjustable over the surface ofthe water in the second chamber, substantially as described.

2. In a separating apparatus, the combination with a vessel, consisting of two chambers, adjustable means for causing water in one chamber to ilow in a thin sheet over water in the second chamber, a conduit with afiat bottom communicating, with the surface of the water in the second chamber, a slide adjustable over the surface of the water in the second chamber, and an inlet and an outlet pipe for the second chamber adapted to, maintain a uniform level therein, substantially as described. V

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses DENIS GALE.

Witnesses:

LLOYD Jesus, H. L. R-rrrmt. 

